Geaghan v D'Aubert [2002] NSWCA 260

New South Wales Court of Appeal

CITATION : Geaghan v D'Aubert [2002] NSWCA 260 FILE NUMBER(S) : CA 41021/00 HEARING DATE(S) : 16 July 2002 JUDGMENT DATE : 13 August 2002

PARTIES : Paul James Geaghan (Appellant) Jennifer Beryl D'Aubert (Respondent) JUDGMENT OF : Handley JA at 1; Stein JA at 3; Foster AJA at 69

LOWER COURT JURISDICTION : District Court LOWER COURT DC 82/99 FILE NUMBER(S) : LOWER COURT Phelan DCJ JUDICIAL OFFICER :

COUNSEL : J D Hislop QC/P J Gormly (Appellant) K P Rewell SC/M Kumar (Respondent) SOLICITORS : Stewart Cuddy & Mockler (Apellant) Stacks - The Law Firm (Respondent) CATCHWORDS : MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT - quantum - assessment of damages - past and future domestic assistance - Griffiths v Kerkemeyer - construction of s 72 of the Motor Accidents Act 1988 - loss of earning capacity - whether Griffiths v Kerkemeyer includes the provision of care to an injured persons' pets or a hobby - statutory construction and interpretation generally - D Civil Liability Act, s 15(3) LEGISLATION CITED : Interpretation Act 1987, s 2B, s 33, s 34 Motor Accidents Act, s 2A, s 2B, s 68A, s 72 Motor Accidents Compensation Act 1999, s 128(3) Beecham Group Ltd v Bristol Laboratories Ltd [1978] RPC 154 Griffiths v Kerkemeyer (1977) 139 CLR 161 Malec v J C Hutton Pty Ltd (1990) 169 CLR 638 CASES CITED: Medlin v State Government Insurance Commission (1995) 182 CLR 1 Sturch v Willmott (1997) 2 Qd R 310 Sullivan v Gordon (1999) 47 NSWLR 319 Younie v Martini (Unreported, Court of Appeal, 21 March 1995) DECISION : 1. Appeal allowed. 2. The verdict and judgment in the District Court set aside and in lieu thereof a verdict and judgment be entered for the respondent in the sum of $61,879. 3. The trial judge's order that the appellant pay the respondent's costs of the trial on a solicitor/client basis from 13 May 1999 be set aside and in lieu thereof order that the appellant pay the respondent's costs of the trial in the District Court on a party/party basis. 4. The respondent is to pay the costs of the appeal but receive a certificate under the Suitors' Fund Act if otherwise entitled. 5. The cross-appeal dismissed with costs. 6. The respondent is ordered to repay the appellant by way of restitution the sum of $31,290 together with interest thereon at the relevant court rates.